FIFA World Cup Football Week 4

France beat Algeria and Germany beat Nigeria to move in the last sixteen of the tournament, while Argentina and Belgium did the same beating  the Swiss and the USA. While France struggled in the first half, they kept the attack up in the second half and were able to prevail. Germany did the same . 

Argentina huffed ,puffed and finally  managed by the skin of their teeth to win and get to the next around . Swiss were defiant and the match was very close to extra time when Argentina managed that solitary goal that helped them to go through. Belgium found reserve and energy  to defeat USA

 So, down to the last eight that will determine four teams  that will get to the semis.If one thought that these matches between the best teams will be tough ones with exciting play , it was not . None of the matches  triggered excitement for the manner  in which it was played. May the Dutch versus Costa Rico was the best  of the lot and the match  went to the penalties.

Germany – France was a drab affair.  Once Germany got the lead early , they settled down to play the midfield game which meant they held on to possession and would snap any forward move by France. French also looked very dull and except for one shot that was saved by Neuer ( Benezema effort ) there was no sting in the French attack. Germans were happy to hold on to the one goal lead.

Brazil  settled the issue with Columbia with a  traditional David Luiz ( he has done this for Chelsea but lacks consistency ) free kick that gave them a two goal advantage till J(H )ames Rodriguez reduced the lead with a penalty. Brazil lost Neymar for rest of the tournament through injury. Personally I think Brazil will not miss him but the most of you and the football pundits will differ. I think Neymar not being there will give Scholari the chances to experiment and he may be able to get his combination and formation  better and right. Brazil still looks like a team that can be beaten on any day and their defence is quite a suspect

Argentina were consistent. They managed their way past  Belgium with an early goal. An early goal and then it was aimless play.   Another boring match

Dutch and the  Cost Ricans played out a goalless draw that sent the match in to penalties. Till then , Dutch had more chances but they just did not convert any. And for the penalties , Louis Van Gall did what many term was a master stroke. He brought in Tim Krool who was not fielded in the tournament so far. Krool did crucial saves in the penalty shootout that allowed the Dutch to get to the semis.

So , for the semifinal , I am  looking at some interesting football to be played.

My picks – Germany and Dutch to vie in the final